Almost Lover Episode 9 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Lin Zong, confronted by Xiao Shangqi about his involvement in the Jifeng Hotel incident and his communications with Zhao Mingxuan, offered his resignation. He requested a brief period to ensure his son, Taiyang, was settled before any legal proceedings commenced. Xiao Shangqi, while not pursuing legal action, warned Lin Zong about Zhao Mingxuan’s true nature, explaining that Zhao Mingxuan's apparent kindness was a strategic move to exploit weaknesses for personal gain.
Xiao Shangqi urged Lin Zong to recognize Zhao Mingxuan's manipulative character and act more prudently in the future, reminding him that the entire staff at Jifeng regarded him as a respected elder. He Xiaoran, on her program "Dajiabang For Everyone," disclosed the truth behind the Jifeng Hotel sanitation scandal. She reported that a former chef, Hu, admitted to fabricating the viral video as an act of revenge after being fired. Hu was subsequently taken into police custody.
Official investigations confirmed Jifeng’s kitchens fully complied with safety and hygiene standards. He Xiaoran also announced the hotel's new initiatives to improve management, including hiring a third-party monitor, hosting monthly open days for guest tours, and implementing live kitchen broadcasts. This proactive response garnered positive public attention for Jifeng. During a business review, Xiao Shangqi presented Jifeng's updated operations to his father and Zhao Mingxuan, noting that the recent controversy had inadvertently boosted the hotel's public profile.
He emphasized Jifeng's successful digital management model, which optimized labor efficiency. Xiao Shangqi’s father suggested that Zhao Mingxuan transfer other specialized hotels to Yunlan for management, citing Jifeng’s success as a precedent. Zhao Mingxuan agreed to consider the proposal. After the meeting, Xiao Shangqi delegated further Jifeng matters to Lin Zong, indicating he had other personal commitments. Xiao Shangqi’s personal commitment was helping He Xiaoran move into their new apartment in Wusu.
He Xiaoran excitedly contemplated their future together in their shared home, envisioning a life of "one house, two people, three meals, and four seasons." Noticing her limited luggage, Xiao Shangqi encouraged her to buy anything she desired to furnish their new space, assuring her there was no need to consider future moves.
They enjoyed shopping for home goods, selecting items like four decorative lamps and a pair of couple's electric toothbrushes, opting for a two-year warranty with a sense of permanency. Later that day, He Xiaoran received a video call from her parents. She gave them a tour of her new apartment, carefully avoiding showing Xiao Shangqi. When asked about her housemate, she vaguely implied it was a female.
She explained to Xiao Shangqi that her parents had initially opposed her move to Wusu and believed she and Xiao Shangqi had broken up. She felt it would be best to explain their rekindled relationship in person during a future visit to Hupu. Xiao Shangqi understood, recalling how her parents had previously asked him to cease contact with her.
On their first night in the new apartment, He Xiaoran surprised Xiao Shangqi with a custom music speaker, a housewarming gift, hoping it would help him sleep peacefully. She had pre-recorded a special message, announcing "Xiao Shangqi's exclusive radio station" hosted by "Miss He," playing a song she hoped would help him settle in and sleep soundly. Later, He Xiaoran found Xiao Shangqi still awake. He jokingly claimed to be "thirsty" when she inquired why.
He had also clearly heard her message. Xiao Shangqi then pulled her into a tender kiss, officially marking the start of their life together. The next morning, He Xiaoran received a call from Director Zhou (Lili), inviting her to join Team A in the news department, a long-held journalistic aspiration that her current boss, Mr. He, had approved. At Jifeng Hotel, He Xiaoran intervened in an argument where a hotel guest's child was quarreling with Taiyang.
The guest's mother angrily accused Taiyang of hitting her son. Xiao Shangqi arrived and offered to involve the police and review surveillance footage to determine responsibility, which promptly diffused the situation. He Xiaoran then confided in Xiao Shangqi about her new job offer, expressing sadness about leaving "Dajiabang For Everyone" just as it gained momentum. Xiao Shangqi reassured her, noting that the new office was only a few floors away.
He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi hosted a housewarming party for their friends and colleagues, including Li Hui and Mr. He. Guests brought a large plant as a gift. During dinner, they reminisced about their journey together at "Dajiabang For Everyone." Mr. He specifically thanked Xiao Shangqi for his intervention, which helped revive their program. After their guests departed, He Xiaoran shared her deep affection for Wusu, appreciating its small-city charm and close-knit community.
She expressed a strong desire to settle down permanently with Xiao Shangqi in Wusu, to which he affectionately agreed. Meanwhile, Mr. Xiao, concerned about the renewed closeness between Xiao Xian and Zhao Mingxuan, cautioned Xiao Xian to always remember who his true family was. Xiao Xian, however, voiced his disapproval of Xiao Shangqi's assertive and independent management style, warning that it might bring problems to Yunlan. Deciding to intervene, Xiao Xian traveled to Wusu to inspect Jifeng Hotel.
Upon arrival, he emphasized the need to re-evaluate the hotel's personnel, especially since it was acquired from Deju. He stated his intention to dismiss Lin Zong due to his past ties with Zhao Mingxuan and to overhaul the staff structure, a decision that Xiao Shangqi silently disagreed with but couldn't openly defy. He Xiaoran began her new role in the news department, assigned by Director Zhou (Lili) to cover the issue of migrant children's welfare.
During her visit to a kindergarten, she encountered a mysterious woman covertly observing Taiyang. Back at Jifeng, she overheard staff discussing the headquarters' recent background checks. She promptly informed Lin Zong about the woman at the kindergarten. Lin Zong revealed that the woman was likely Taiyang’s mother, who had left them years ago in pursuit of an old flame, leaving a heartfelt letter. He had previously informed her of their move to Jifeng via message.
Lin Zong expressed his belief that Taiyang deserved to meet his mother and that he would respect Taiyang's decision if his mother wished to take him. He appealed to Xiao Shangqi for a slight delay in the staff review, hoping for Taiyang’s mother to reappear. He Xiaoran, learning of Xiao Xian’s intent to fire Lin Zong, advocated for Lin Zong, emphasizing that Taiyang regarded Jifeng as his home, a fact vividly depicted in his kindergarten artwork.
While Xiao Shangqi was initially inclined to outwardly comply with Xiao Xian to assert his own authority, He Xiaoran's impassioned plea strengthened his resolve to protect Lin Zong. When Xiao Xian directly ordered Lin Zong's dismissal, Xiao Shangqi resisted, citing Yunlan's strict termination policies and the lack of concrete evidence linking Lin Zong directly to the restaurant scandal.
Undeterred, Xiao Xian, visibly frustrated by Xiao Shangqi's defiance, hinted that finding a reason to dismiss an employee was never truly difficult, reaffirming his intention to remove Lin Zong. Later, Xiao Xian observed Lin Zong distributing cake to the housekeeping department, celebrating a fully booked hotel. Xiao Xian sarcastically remarked that after cake, Lin Zong would soon be distributing bonuses.
